Thought Leadership

BWF is a recognized and respected thought leader in the philanthropic sector. We are constantly assessing the fundraising landscape and providing timely guidance and insights.

BWF is a recognized and respected thought leader in the philanthropic sector. We are constantly assessing the fundraising landscape and providing timely guidance and insights.

In this guide, we'll review what your organization should know about fundraising predictive analytics and modeling.

Fundraising Predictive Analytics: Expert Tips for Nonprofits

Fundraising predictive analytics can help your nonprofit model future donor behaviors to better connect with supporters. Learn more with this complete guide.

Read More
Stony Brook University

The End of Alumni Participation in Rankings: Where Do We Go From Here?

After years of debate, US News & World Report finally announced the removal of alumni giving as a factor in national university rankings. This follows advocacy from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and a chorus of annual giving professionals who have long complained that the flawed metric incentivized transactional programs and caused long-term harm to higher education fundraising.

Read More

The Total Cost of Ownership

Whether it is the prompt of a CRM conversion or an annual budget review, it is essential to understand the full costs of technology. Particularly in the buying and implementation of new software, additional fees often feel like they come out of the proverbial woodwork. Understanding the reason for these costs, evaluating your needs, and negotiating with vendors is key.

Read More

Navigating the AI Metropolis: Empowering Nonprofit Fundraising Through Data-Driven Strategies

The power of AI in fundraising is being harnessed further, accelerating the progress of our organizations and the causes we hold dear. Looking ahead and to ensure fundraising’s future is hopeful, good “citizens” are needed to harness the power of AI and use it for good, and quickly. Embracing the potential of our AI neighborhoods and a brighter, more data-driven future for nonprofits is taking shape. This article takes a look at the evolving landscape of AI in fundraising and how best to harness it for your organization.

Read More

Should We Still Have Campaigns?

BWF conducted a research project across the philanthropic landscape to gain contemporary views of campaigns. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, we landed on some overarching themes worthy of consideration.

Read More

How Recent Changes in the U.S. Real Estate Market Affects Prospect Research

When conducting prospect research, a fundraising professional may reference many different data points as wealth indicators of a prospect. Research professionals often use real estate as a central data point to assess capacity, since it is very easy to identify. This article will help establish a baseline for the new normal of the real estate market in the United States and how it affects the prospect research professional’s day-to-day.

Read More

Are You Ready for a Strategic Plan?

How do you make sure that your strategic plan does more than sit on a shelf and gather dust? How do you know when your organization is ready to write its first strategic plan or update its existing plan? BWF’s Tracey Storey answers the questions you should ask yourself as you consider undertaking a strategic planning process.

Read More

The Campaign Communications Countdown, Part 2: Prepare to Launch!

You’ve come a long way in a year as you prepare to launch your campaign. You’ve developed core messages, struck upon a powerful campaign theme, and created a graphic identity. As great as your achievements are, there is still a long way to go to launch. Now is the time to take your great concepts and turn them into products.

Read More

Book Chapter: Strengthening the Operation

Equally important to an organization’s ability to reach increased fundraising goals is operational readiness. After all, even if an organization has an excellent relationship with a potential donor, a misspelled name in the database, a delay in processing a gift, ill-timed outreach, or multiple touchpoints to the same donor can all lead to embarrassing and potentially damaging incidents.

Read More